Applied Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) (1201)/Forensic Microscopy (1204), December 2–6 2024 In-Person
COURSE OUTLINE & SYLLABUS
Course schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Friday.
Students will acquire the basic knowledge and practical skills to apply polarized light methods in their areas of interest and will appreciate the potential contribution of more advanced methods and techniques. The materials examined emphasize particle analysis, including fibers, paint, glass, hair, explosives, soil, drugs, etc.
Many of our advanced courses expand on topic areas introduced in this course, creating a family of specialized, intensive week-long courses. These course topics include Microchemical Methods [1270A], Sample Preparation and Manipulation for Microanalysis [1501E], Digital Imaging and Photomicrography [1105], and Hot Stage Microscopy and Polymorphism [1260].
Closely similar courses are available that are tailored to specific areas of application. These include Pharmaceutical Microscopy [1203] and Microscopy for Art Conservators [1206]. With minor exceptions, the microscopical skills and information provided are the same, but the materials studied and the problems addressed are those of the application area. Many students also use these courses as a review or refresher of course 1201. This course and its near equivalents just mentioned serve as a prerequisite for many of our advanced courses.
This is the same course as Applied Polarized Light Microscopy (1201). There is no prerequisite for this course.
Students will acquire the basic knowledge and practical skills to apply polarized light methods in their areas of interest and will appreciate the potential contribution of more advanced methods and techniques. The materials examined emphasize particle analysis, including fibers, paint, glass, hair, explosives, soil, drugs, etc.
Many of our advanced courses expand on topic areas introduced in this course, creating a family of specialized, intensive week-long courses. These course topics include Microchemical Methods [1270A], Sample Preparation and Manipulation for Microanalysis [1501E], Digital Imaging and Photomicrography [1105], and Hot Stage Microscopy and Polymorphism [1260].
Closely similar courses are available that are tailored to specific areas of application. These include Pharmaceutical Microscopy [1203] and Microscopy for Art Conservators [1206]. With minor exceptions, the microscopical skills and information provided are the same, but the materials studied and the problems addressed are those of the application area. Many students also use these courses as a review or refresher of course 1201. This course and its near equivalents just mentioned serve as a prerequisite for many of our advanced courses.
This is the same course as Applied Polarized Light Microscopy (1201). There is no prerequisite for this course.
Day 1:
Physical optics: reflection, refraction, refractive index, dispersion, lenses, aberrations, objectives, oculars, condensers, stands, lamps, image formation, illumination, resolving power, image contrast, micrometry, crystallization, and crystal morphology
Day 2:
Microchemistry; particle-picking, manipulation, and testing; crystal optics: color and pleochroism, refractive indices, and dispersion staining
Day 3:
Crossed polars: birefringence, retardation, and interference figures; identification of small single particles: synthetics and natural fibers, diverse biological particles, minerals, industrial dusts, and combustion products
Day 4:
Visual thermal analysis (i.e., fusion methods): polymorphism, isomorphism, liquid crystals, hot stages, cold stages, digital imaging techniques, and composition diagram; accessories for the light microscope to improve resolution, contrast, and additional characterization data
Day 5:
Characterization and identification of knowns and unknowns